With headlines riveting attention on the crisis along the U.S.-Mexico border, Texans Beto O'Rourke and Julian Castro clashed sharply Wednesday at the first Democratic presidential debate.

The two Texans tangled on how the United States should approach the migrant crisis at the southern border.

O'Rourke, in response to a question about the drowning deaths of a Salvadoran father and daughter in the Rio Grande this week, was interrupted by Castro who said the El Pasoan did not do enough to support all undocumented immigrants.

Castro and O'Rourke clash over immigration debate

O'Rourke sought to talk past the interruption, saying the nation's immigration laws should be rewritten "in our own image" and said no one should be turned away at the border fleeing from violence and economic oppression.

"I think you should do your homework," Castro shot back, suggesting O'Rourke was masking over the heart of the issue with political rhetoric.

The two Texans shared the stage in the two-hour debate at Miami's Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts and carried live on NBC, MSNBC and Telemundo with eight other hopefuls in the crowded field of Democrats.

Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who's polling in the top tier of Democrats, had the coveted center-stage positions and drew the most questions at the outset. O'Rourke was next to her and Castro was third from the end on the left. Other big names on Night One were U.S. Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey and Amy Klobuchar Minnesota and New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio.

Finding a way to break from the pack proved challenging for all of the hopefuls, with the possible exception of Warren. Castro was far from the only candidate who cut into another's time to challenge a point or to wedge in a memorable line.

Castro employed off-color language when he addressed the migrants' deaths, saying they should "piss all of us off. It should spur us to action.”

The aggressive posture could pay off for Castro, who has struggled to gain traction so far. Debate co-sponsor, MSNBC, tweeted that Google Trends showed a 2,400 percent spike in searches of his name during the course of the debate.

Google Trends: Julian Castro has spiked +2,400% in search since the #DemDebate started.

Beto O'Rourke says economy 'rigged'

O'Rourke used his first opportunity to speak to showcase his fluency in Spanish as he called the economy "rigged" for wealthy corporations. He skirted the specifics of the question about whether he'd support a 70 percent bracket for the super-rich, instead saying the tax code must be fair.

Castro, the only Latino seeking the presidency, attempted to connect with struggling Americans by reminding viewers that he was raised by a single mother in a working-class San Antonio neighborhood.

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Democratic supporters gather outside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, where the Democratic presidential candidates are go to debate for the first time in Miami on June 26, 2019. Ricardo Rolon, The News-Press via USA TODAY Network

Protestors gather outside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, where Democratic presidential candidates are going to debate for the first time in Miami on June 26, 2019. Ricardo Rolon, The News-Press via USA TODAY Network

Mayor of New York City Bill de Blasio, Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, Former Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julian Castro and Sen. Cory Booker, D- N.J., participate in the first Democratic primary debate in Miami on June 26, 2019. Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images

Moderators Chuck Todd and Rachel Maddow speak to audience during a technical problem as they host the first night of the Democratic presidential primary debate in Miami on June 26, 2019. Jim Watson, AFP/Getty Images

Gio Marquez, right, and Chris Willis prepare the Miss Froztee ice cream truck to give out free "Biden berry" ice cream in support of former Vice President Joe Biden ahead of the second night of the Democratic presidential primary debates on June 27, 2019, outside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Leah Voss, TCPalm.com via USA TODAY Network

Chaunce O'Connor, left, and Xavier Presley, share their opinions on the corner of Northeast 13th Street and Biscayne Boulevard ahead of the second night of the Democratic presidential primary debates on June 27, 2019, outside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Leah Voss, TCPalm.com via USA TODAY Network

People support their candidates ahead of the second night of the Democratic presidential primary debates on June 27, 2019, outside of the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts in Miami. Leah Voss, TCPalm.com via USA TODAY Network

Entrepreneur Andrew Yang, South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg, former Vice President Joe Biden and Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., take the stage for the second night of the first Democratic presidential debate in Miami on June 27, 2019. Drew Angerer, Getty Images

Asked if he'd scrap private health insurance in favor of "Medicare for All," O'Rourke said no. He'd offer Medicare for those uninsured or priced out of the private market, but would not end private coverage, especially for union workers who negotiated favorable terms of coverage.

I don’t believe in only reproductive freedom, i believe in reproductive justice. All women -- and that includes the trans community -- have the right to an abortion. #DemDebate

Foreign policy

Asked if the United States should intervene against genocide even if there is no clear U.S. interest in play, O'Rourke was unequivocal, saying the nation must "live our values,"

He then pivoted to Trump, saying he has "alienated our friends and allies. He has weakened our country."

Going in to the evening, O'Rourke, the El Paso Democrat who used his narrow loss in the U.S. Senate race to Republican Ted Cruz last year as a springboard to the 2020 presidential sweepstakes, appeared ready to pounce on the border crisis.

"Trump is responsible for these deaths," the former congressman said in a tweet Tuesday night that was anchored by the viral but disturbing photo of a father and toddler daughter who drowned in the Rio Grande near Brownsville.

Castro, the former San Antonio mayor and HUD secretary in the Obama administration, was passionate but measured when he took to Twitter in the hours before the debate. He deleted a tweet with the image and replaced it with link to a news story about the drownings but not the image.

"Absolutely heartbreaking," Castro tweeted. "Families are fleeing desperate conditions to find refuge, only for the doors to be shut in their face. We need a more sensible, compassionate immigration system that doesn’t criminalize desperation."

But that did not last once they took the stage.

"I think it's a mistake, Beto," Castro said to O'Rourke as he chastised him on immigration policy.

Closing arguments

Castro relied on his biography, growing up in a Hispanic family headed by women. He has acknowledged that he's not a fluent Spanish speaker, but Castro did draw applause when he promised on Inauguration Day 2021, "we will say 'adios' to Donald Trump."

Presidential candidates get ready for debate

In an email to supporters about 90 minutes before the start of the debate, O'Rourke admitted "there's a lot riding on" his performance.

"Before the lights go up and we take our place, I am excited to draw inspiration, courage, and wisdom from some of the incredible people we’ve met along the way who will be joining us here in Miami," he said in the email.

I'm getting ready to take the stage at the #DemDebate tonight, and I know I wouldn't be here without your support. I'm going to need your help to carry me through to the next debates, so I’m asking you to chip in whatever you can to contribute: https://t.co/BtWpFHcnKm Thank you! pic.twitter.com/3hRpHTWU11

Pete Buttigieg, mayor of South Bend, Ind., speaks to a crowd of people from the back porch of a home on Wednesday, April 17, 2019, in Marshalltown. This is Buttigieg's first trip to Iowa after announcing his 2020 campaign. Kelsey Kremer/The Register

Democratic presidential candidate and former Rep. John Delaney, D-Md., speaks at the Heartland Forum held on the campus of Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa, Saturday, March 30, 2019. Nati Harnik, AP

Wayne Messam, mayor of Miramar, Fla. and declared caucus candidate, holds a town hall on Monday, April 29, 2019, at Fox Brewing in West Des Moines. This is his first trip to Iowa after announcing his run for president. Kelsey Kremer/The Register

U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan, D-Ohio, speaks to a crowd of people gathered at a meet and greet event organized by the Polk County Democrats on Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Fox Brewing in West Des Moines. This is Ryan's first visit to Iowa after announcing he's running for president. Kelsey Kremer/The Register